Dear Concerned Citizens and Esteemed Members of Our Community,

** Please note that the donation request here is not a donation to our cause but funding for this website. We have a totally separate fundraising campaign.**

Our cherished Lake Scugog is under imminent threat!

We urgently need your support to protect our beloved shoreline and marshlands from irreversible damage.

 

The Issue: A developer, Avenu Properties, has proposed the construction of 600 residential units on environmentally sensitive land. Their plan includes access from a proposed road through environmentally protected areas, along with the construction of a marina and beach in the marshland, necessitating extensive dredging of Lake Scugog wetlands.

 

The Environmental Impact:

Destruction of Marshlands: The proposed road construction and dredging will devastate the marshlands, leading to the loss of wetland species and habitats.
Degradation of Lake Health: The construction will increase runoff and introduce impervious surfaces, further degrading the health of our lake and increasing pollution levels.
Loss of Biodiversity: Wetland species and their habitats will be significantly affected, leading to a decline in biodiversity that is crucial for maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
 

The Community Impact:

Strain on Emergency Services: Our local emergency services, including police, ambulance, and fire departments, will face additional strain, compromising the health and safety of all Scugog residents.

Impact on Medical Services: The development will exacerbate existing challenges in our healthcare system, resulting in longer wait times for family doctors, crowded emergency rooms, and overworked medical staff, putting our health at greater risk.
 

The MZO Request: Our local government has the power to support or deny a Minister Zoning Order (MZO) request, which would fast-track this development.

Granting the MZO will:

Give the Province of Ontario zoning authority over the land.
Bypass essential local processes, including zoning by-law amendments, public consultations, council approvals, and comprehensive planning reviews.
Reduce the scope and depth of environmental and natural heritage assessments, leading to potential oversights and inadequate protection for our natural resources.
 

Our Appeal: We urge you to join us in protecting Lake Scugog and the overdevelopment of our area by signing this petition. Together, we can persuade our Mayor and Town Council to deny the MZO request from Avenu Properties. Let us ensure that the beauty, health, and sustainability of Lake Scugog and its surrounding environment are preserved for future generations.

Thank you for your support,

Concerned Citizens of Scugog